Seeking Head of the Collection of Classical Modernist Paintings

The Hamburger Kunsthalle has an opening starting immediately as Head of the Collection of Classical Modernist Paintings.

As collection director you will help to shape the profile of the Hamburger Kunsthalle by expanding your collection and conceiving exhibitions. Your work will focus on Classical and Post-War Modernism (1900 to 1960).

Multiple facets of German and international modernism unfold at the Kunsthalle: Paintings by the “Brücke” artists and the École de Paris as well as groups of works by Edvard Munch, Anita Rée, Paula Modersohn-Becker, Paul Klee and Max Beckmann illustrate the new spirit that began to pervade art circa 1900. The art of the Bauhaus, New Objectivity and Surrealism as well as various trends in abstract and non-objective painting were in the vanguard during the eventful first decades of the twentieth century, lending the entire century a striking new face.

Your duties will include
–Scholarly supervision of the Classical Modernism Collection
–Indexing the collection, e.g., via the database, image files, publications, digital media, etc.
–Continuous further development of the collection concept on an international level in contact with the relevant people and institutions, e.g., estates, collectors, artists, foundations, etc. through acquisitions, donations, bequests, permanent loans, etc.
–Close cooperation and coordination of work on the collection and its expansion with the heads of all collections at the Kunsthalle and with the museum education department, the library, etc.
–Conceiving and realising exhibitions and collection presentations on Classical and Post-war Modernism as part of the overall concept of the Hamburger Kunsthalle, as well as contributing to overarching monographic/thematic exhibitions, including publications (both analogue and digital)
–Conceiving and realising events and programmes accompanying exhibitions, e.g., symposia, artist talks (analogue and digital)
–Supervision and guidance of assistant curators and training of research volunteers in various projects
–Cross-disciplinary cooperation within the Kunsthalle and with external partners in the field of Classical Modernism including other museums, exhibition venues, universities, foundations, etc.

Your knowledge and skills profile
–University degree in the field of art history or comparable subjects (master’s degree, preferably with doctorate) and academic activity in the field of international Classical and Post-war Modernism documented by publications
–Extensive knowledge and several years of experience in museums in the field of Classical Modernism, ideally in a comparable position of responsibility
–Experience in conceiving, planning and realising international, interdisciplinary exhibitions and accompanying programmes and events as well as publications
–Experience with digitalisation, in particular with databases and digital media and formats
–Excellent conceptual and organisational skills
–Demonstrated project and process management competence
–Strong communication and networking skills
–Fluent in German and English as well as ideally another foreign language

The Hamburger Kunsthalle strives to ensure that the city’s social diversity is reflected in its employees. We welcome applications from all people, regardless of origin, and we promote gender equality and work-life balance. Persons with disabilities will be given preferential consideration given equal suitability and professional achievements. We offer a permanent employment contract with a current workweek of 40 hours. The salary is in accordance with German pay category 14 TV-AVH.

Please address any questions to Marion Blicke, T 040/428 131 263.

Please email your complete and detailed application documents without photo, including a CV and references, by April 28, 2024 to bewerbung [​at​] hamburger-kunsthalle.de (maximum 6 MB, only PDF attachments).